According to a criminal complaint against Ryan, written by Ketchikan police Sgt. Andy Berntson, police responded to a residence on the 1600 block of Tongass Avenue. A police statement said officers responded to the initial call, reporting a fight with one male injured and another leaving the scene, at about 9 p.m.

Dixon, who was found lying on the floor and bleeding, was taken to Peacehealth Ketchikan Medical Center where he was declared dead. Berntson said medics found a dozen stab wounds on Dixon’s body.

“He had apparently received multiple stab wounds to his upper body and arm,” Berntson said.

Officers performed CPR on Dixon until he was taken to the hospital.

At least two witnesses to the fight spoke with police, according to Berntson, including one who saw Ryan fighting Dixon and holding a purple knife; the other reported seeing Ryan stab Dixon “over and over.” Police recovered a bloodied 13-inch purple kitchen knife with an 8-inch blade.

Officers spoke with Ryan at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the police statement at a home on the 1100 block of Woodland Avenue.

Berntson said Ryan told police he had stabbed Dixon when he felt threatened during the fight.

Police were unable to comment on what led up to the stabbing, but Berntson offered a few additional details on the case.

“They are known to each other; they appear to be cohabitating,” Berntson said. “Alcohol was involved, certainly.”

Court records show Ryan made an initial court appearance in the case Saturday, at which a public defender was appointed to represent him.

Ryan was in custody Tuesday at the Ketchikan Correctional Center, according to a statewide inmate database.